ES2526875T3 - Tobacco aroma suction device without heating - Google Patents

Abstract

A suction device (1) of tobacco aroma without heating, comprising: a cylindrical and hollow suction support (2), which has an open distal end, an open proximal end and a defined suction path therein, of such that the suction path includes a main passage extending from the distal end to the proximal end, so that the proximal end serves as a mouth end (4), and a padding (8), contained in the main step of said suction support (2), including said filler (8) tobacco particles made of tobacco materials, without the tobacco particles having been compressed, in order to provide an aroma obtained from airborne tobacco materials which is inhaled by a user through the mouth end (4), in which: the suction path and said filling (8) provide a resistance to air passage of between 40 mm ca and 80 mm a.c. in cooperation with each other.

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Tobacco aroma suction device without heating

Technical field

This invention relates to an unheated tobacco aroma suction device that allows the user to enjoy the inhalation of a tobacco aroma without the need for ignition.

Prior art

It has long been enjoying filter cigarettes as refreshing / relaxing items. In recent years, however, the influence in the surrounding environment of the smoke released, not inhaled, and the odors released when a filter cigarette is burned, has been increasingly questioned.

In order to put an end to the problem, smokeless cigarettes have been proposed, such as the one disclosed in patent document 1.

The smokeless cigarette disclosed in patent document 1 comprises an air permeable container, which has been filled with a filling made of tobacco materials impregnated with tobacco-derived flavoring substances, including nicotine, and a support intended to contain the container inside, in such a way that the support has an air intake and a mouth end. The user can enjoy a scent of tobacco by inhaling, through the mouth end, of air that has passed through the filter, without having to turn on the filling.

The smokeless cigarette disclosed in patent document 2 uses an air permeable filler, molded from tobacco and resin powders.

Prior art documents

Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application disclosed Publication No. Hei 2-2331.

Patent document 2: Japanese Patent Application disclosed Publication No. Sho 64-60364.

Compendium of the invention

Problem to be solved by the invention

In the case of the smokeless cigarette disclosed in patent document 1, during inhalation, fine powders of tobacco materials are dragged towards the mouth end and accumulate near the mouth end, with the result of a rapid increase in the resistance to filling airflow. This obstructs the inhalation by the user of the tobacco-scented air, so that the user cannot enjoy a scent with a sensation similar to the one the user has when smoking normal filter cigarettes.

The smokeless cigarette disclosed in patent document 2 has no such disadvantage. However, the contact area between the air and the tobacco powders is too small to allow the user to enjoy a satisfactory aroma. On the other hand, the molding of the filling requires resin, which leads to an increase in manufacturing and labor costs for smokeless cigarettes.

It is a purpose of the present invention to provide an unheated tobacco aroma suction device that allows the user to inhale tobacco-scented air and enjoy the aroma in a stable manner, without generating smoke.

Means to solve the problem

In order to achieve the above purpose, an unheated tobacco aroma suction device comprises a cylindrical and hollow suction support having a distal end, or further away, open, a proximal end, or closer, open, and a defined suction path inside, such that the suction path includes a main passage extending from the distal end to the proximal end, so that the proximal end serves as the mouth end, and there is a filling contained within of the main passage of the suction support, so that the filling includes tobacco particles made of tobacco materials without the tobacco particles having been compressed, in order to provide an aroma obtained from the tobacco materials to the air inhaled by a user through the end of the mouth, such that the suction path and the filling provide a resistance to the passage of air between 40 mm ca [mm of water column] and 80 mm a.c., one in cooperation with the other.

Thanks to the control of the resistance to the passage of air of the suction path and the filling in a value of between 40 mm

AC. and 80 mm a.c., unwanted movement of the tobacco particles that form the filling is prevented, and therefore, the local obstruction of the filling as a result of the agglomeration of tobacco particles is avoided. The filling can, therefore, provide a stable inhalation sensation and reliably provide a scent to the

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air inhaled by the user. The filling is easy to make, since it is formed by compacting the particles of tobacco without

compress the tobacco particles. The landfill is not burned, so it does not produce fumes or ashes and, therefore, does not cause problems such as smoke and odors worsen the surrounding environment. In order to maintain the resistance to the passage of air from the suction path and the filling between 40 mm a.c. and 80 mm

c.a., it is desirable that the weight of the tobacco particles constituting the filler be between 0.2 g and 0.3 g dry.

On the other hand, it is desirable that the filling include 90% by weight or more of tobacco particles, the tobacco particles having a particle size between 0.212 mm and 2.0 mm. It is more desirable that the filler include 90% by weight or more of tobacco particles, the particles having

tobacco a particle size between 0.2 mm and 2.0 mm. It is desirable that the filling be cylindrical in shape and have an outer diameter between 6 mm and 8 mm, and a length

axial up to approximately 70 mm. The suction support provided with such filler does not cause a strange sensation compared to normal filter cigarettes. The filling is easy to make, since it is formed without compression of the tobacco particles. Tobacco particles include at least carbonate or hydrogen carbonate, in which case the substances

Flavorings contained in tobacco are easily volatilized and released from the filling, so that the user can better enjoy the aroma obtained from tobacco materials.

The carbonate is desirably potassium carbonate. The suction path additionally includes a secondary passage, or sub-step, intended to allow air to be introduced into the main passage through a circumferential wall of the suction support, in order to make the introduced air enter contact with the filling. Said secondary passage can increase the amount of air that is admitted into the suction support, thereby diluting the aromatized air to be inhaled.

Effect of the invention The present invention can avoid variations in the resistance to airflow of the filling even with actions

of repeated aspiration, and allows the user to enjoy the aroma that is provided from the tobacco materials with a sensation of inhalation similar to that the user has when he smokes cigarettes with normal filters. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a smokeless cigarette, or tobacco aroma suction device and

without heating, according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 2 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of tobacco particles constituting a filler shown in Figure 1, and the amount of a tobacco flavoring substance supplied, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a smokeless cigarette according to a second embodiment, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a smokeless cigarette according to a third embodiment, Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a smokeless cigarette according to a fourth embodiment, Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a smokeless cigarette according to a fifth embodiment, Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a smokeless cigarette according to a sixth embodiment, Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a container contained in the smokeless cigarette according to the

sixth embodiment, and Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of a smokeless cigarette according to a seventh embodiment. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention As seen in Figure 1, a smokeless cigarette 1 comprises a cylindrical and hollow suction support (to which

hereafter referred to simply as "support") 2, similar in shape and size to normal filter cigarettes. The support 2 is open at its two ends. Specifically, the support 2 includes a proximal portion,

or closer, gradually narrowed that provides a mouth end 4. Inside the support 2, in a distal portion, or further away, a hollow cylindrical tobacco cartridge has been arranged

20. The tobacco cartridge 20 has an outside diameter somewhat smaller than the inside diameter of the distal portion of the

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support 2, and is removable from support 2.

The tobacco cartridge 20 comprises a cylindrical container 6 open at its two ends, and a filling 8 disposed in the container 6. Air-permeable plugs 10 are fitted at the two ends of the container 6. A filter 12 is fitted inside the container 6, near the end of the container 6 on the side of the mouth end 4. The filler 8 and the filter 12 are separated from each other by a filter stop 14. The tobacco cartridge 20 is therefore placed inside the holder 2, with the end of the container 6 the side of the filter 12 located towards the mouth end 4.

A plug 16 has been detachably fitted to the open, distal end of the support 2 furthest from the mouth end 4. The plug 16 has an air intake 18.

The support 2 has an air suction path for the air that is introduced to flow into it through the air intake 18. The suction path includes a main passage extending from the air intake 18 to the end 4 in the mouth, inside the holder 2.

The filling 8 is formed by containing a mixture of tobacco stings or grains, obtained by stinging or granulating tobacco leaves, and additives (this mixture will be referred to hereinafter as "tobacco particles"), inside the container 6 so that the tobacco cartridge 20 provides a predetermined resistance to the passage of air.

By the suction action by the user at the mouth end 4 of the support 2, air is introduced into the tobacco cartridge 20, or, in other words, from the main passage, through the air intake 18, and This comes in contact with the filling 8, or tobacco particles. In this way, within the cartridge 20, an aroma of tobacco is conferred to the air by containing this flavoring substances released from the tobacco particles. The user can, in this way, inhale the tobacco-scented air through the main passage and the mouth end 4 of the support 2, and enjoy the aroma of tobacco.

In the event that the smokeless cigarette 1 does not heat or burn the filler 8, it is necessary that the resistance to the air passage of the filler 8 be properly regulated so that the smokeless cigarette 1 can not only provide the user with similar sensations to those provided when smoking normal unfiltered cigarettes, but also overcome the aforementioned problem of smokeless cigarette disclosed in patent document 1. In other words, it is required that smokeless cigarette 1 in accordance with the present invention provide a stable aroma to the user and make the user perceive an appropriate resistance to the passage of air during inhalation.

Table 1 below shows the length and resistance to the passage of air of fillers made of bites in normal filter cigarettes.

Table 1

Kind

Fill Length [mm] Resistance to the passage of air [mm a.c.]

Before smoking

After smoking  Before smoking After smoking

Cigarette with filter containing 1 mg of tar

51 10 104 101

Cigarette with filter containing 6 mg of tar

53 10 100 82

As seen in Table 1, normal filter cigarettes are regulated in such a way that, before ignition, the filling has an initial airflow resistance of between about 100 and about 110 mm a.c. [mm of water column]. In filter cigarettes that are smoked to a filling length of approximately 10 mm, the resistance to the filling air passage is lower than the resistance to the initial air passage. Specifically, after having been smoked to the aforementioned length of the filling, the filter cigarette containing 1 mg of tar [tobacco residue] has a resistance to the passage of air (101 mm ca) that is slightly less than its resistance to passage of initial air, and the filter cigarette containing 6 mg of tar has a resistance to the passage of air (82 mm ca) that is only 18 mm ca less than its resistance to the initial air passage. This demonstrates that, regardless of how much the length of the filling is reduced by the action of smoking, the airflow resistance of normal filter cigarettes remains between approximately 80 mm a.c. and approximately 100 mm a.c.

The resistance to the passage of air is represented by a loss of pressure, measured in the smoking conditions of standardized filter cigarettes, or in the conditions in which the filter cigarette is aspirated with a flow rate of 1,050 ml / min.

Table 2 below shows evaluations provided by 16 testers who drew on two types of

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1 smokeless cigarettes with different resistance to the passage of air. Table 2

Resistance to the passage of air compared A [mm a.c.] versus B [mm a.c.]

Preference [people] Sensitivity of the difference in resistance to the passage of air [people]

Prefer A

Prefer B Does not express any preference Perceived Not perceived

40 versus 60

4 5 7 9 7

60 versus 80

eleven 3 2 14 2

80 versus 100

10 2 4 12 4

In the comparison between the smokeless cigarette 1 with a resistance to the passage of air of 40 mm a.c. and the smokeless cigarette 1 with an air passage resistance of 60 mm a.c., tester evaluations indicate that this difference in resistance to air passage is not a significant difference. In contrast, in the comparison between the smokeless cigarette 1 with resistance to the passage of air of 60 mm a.c. and the smokeless cigarette 1 with an airflow resistance of 80 mm a.c., and between the smokeless cigarette 1 with airflow resistance of 80 mm a.c. and the smokeless cigarette 1 with an air passage resistance of 100 mm a.c., tester evaluations indicate that these differences in air passage resistance are significant differences. It has also been found that among the smokeless cigarettes 1 with respect to which the testers found a significant difference in resistance to air passage, the testers showed a tendency to prefer a smokeless cigarette 1 lower in airflow resistance . Specifically, the test results show that the smokeless cigarette 1 with the airflow resistance of 80 mm a.c. it is preferred against the smokeless cigarette 1 with the airflow resistance of 100 mm a.c., and that the smokeless cigarette 1 with the airflow resistance of 60 mm a.c. It is preferred against the smokeless cigarette 1 with the resistance to the passage of air of 80 mm a.c., although no definitive preference on the part of the testers is observed between the smokeless cigarette 1 with resistance to the passage of air of 40 mm a.c. and the smokeless cigarette 1 with resistance to the passage of air of 60 mm a.c. The test results show, therefore, that the airflow resistance suitable for the smokeless cigarette 1 according to the present embodiment is different from that suitable for normal unfiltered cigarettes.

Table 2 also shows that, in the comparison between smokeless cigarettes 1 of different resistance to the passage of air, a difference in the resistance to the passage of air of approximately 20 mm a.c. or greater allows the perception of the difference by the testers.

From the foregoing, the resistance to the passage of adequate air for the smokeless cigarette 1 according to the present embodiment is 80 mm a.c. or less, more specifically, between approximately 40 mm a.c. and approximately 80 mm a.c. The resistance to air passage of the smokeless cigarette 1, or tobacco cartridge 20, is the sum of the resistance to the air passage of the filler 8, of the caps 10 and of the filter 12. If the resistance to the air passage of the plugs 10 and filter 12 are, for example, 2 mm ca and 15 mm a.c., respectively, the padding 8 must have a resistance to the passage of air between 23 mm a.c. and 63 mm a.c.

The resistance to air passage of the filter 8, which needs to be properly regulated, is greatly affected by the quantity and particle size of the tobacco particles that form the filling 8. The quantity will be further explained below. and the particle size of the tobacco particles that form the filler.

Figure 2 shows the relationship between the amount of a flavoring substance supplied from the smokeless cigarette 1 in each draft and the amount of tobacco particles that form the filling (in dry conditions). The flavoring substance is, here, a substance chosen among the flavoring substances contained in the tobacco particles, as an indicator of a tobacco aroma (specifically, nicotine).

The specifications of the padding 8 for which you observed the relationship shown in Figure 2, are as follows:

Tobacco particles: a mixture of Burley tobacco bites, obtained by subjecting Burley leaves to stinging, humidifying and then heating, and additives such as carbonate (potassium carbonate) and flavoring substances.

Particle size of 90% by weight or more of tobacco particles constituting the filling: between 0.212 mm and 2.0 mm.

Outside diameter (inside diameter of the tobacco cartridge): 7 mm.

As seen in Figure 2, the supply of the flavoring substance increases as the tobacco particles constituting the filling increase, but reaches a constant value in 0.3 g of tobacco particles constituting the filling. On the other hand, the filler 8 composed of 0.2 g or more of tobacco particles supplies substantially the same amount of the flavoring substance as that supplied by the filler consisting of 0.3

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g of tobacco particles. It is therefore desirable that the filler 8 be made between 0.2 g and 0.3 g of tobacco particles under dry conditions.

The addition of carbonate, such as potassium carbonate, to tobacco particles carries with it a 'rich' aroma in tobacco as well as an improved sensation of inhalation of tobacco-scented air, and, therefore, enhanced user satisfaction. Potassium carbonate in powder form can be mixed with tobacco particles. Alternatively, an aqueous solution of potassium carbonate can be added to the tobacco particles. Hydrogen carbonate may be used instead of or other than carbonate.

Table 3 below shows the relationship between the resistance to initial air passage of the tobacco cartridge 20 and the particle size of the tobacco particles constituting the filling 8.

Table 3

Particle size (90% by weight or more)

Resistance to initial air passage [mm a.c.]

Amount of tobacco particles that form the filling: 0.2 [g] (dry conditions)

Amount of tobacco particles that form the filling: 0.3 [g] (dry conditions)

2.0 mm or less

60 99

0.212 mm  2.0 mm

58 79

The type and quantity of tobacco particles constituting the filling 8, as well as the outer diameter of the filling 8, for which the relationship shown in Table 3 was observed, are the same as those mentioned above.

As seen in Table 3, a tobacco cartridge 20 containing a filler 8 formed by 0.3 g of tobacco particles with a particle size of 0.2 mm or less, has an initial air passage resistance of 99 mm ca, which is outside the aforementioned range of resistance to the passage of air suitable for the smokeless cigarette 1. In contrast to this, a tobacco cartridge 20 containing a filler 8 formed by 0.2 g or 0.3 g of tobacco particles, with a particle size of between 0.212 mm and 2.0 mm, provides an initial air passage resistance within the appropriate range of resistance to the aforementioned air passage.

It is therefore desirable that 90% by weight or more of the tobacco particles constituting the filler 8 have a particle size between 0.212 mm and 2.0 mm. Tobacco particles with a particle size between 0.212 mm and 2.0 mm are obtained by screening by means of a standardized sieve with a mesh size in accordance with JIS Z 8801.

Table 4 below shows how the particle size of the tobacco particles is related to the initial air passage resistance of the tobacco cartridge 20, with the resistance to the final air passage, after 100 puffs. of the tobacco cartridge 20, and with the difference between the resistance to the initial and final air passage.

Table 4

Particle size of 90% by weight or more of tobacco particles

Resistance to the passage of air [mm a.c.] with a filling composed of 0.2 [g] of tobacco particles (in dry conditions) Resistance to the passage of air [mm a.c.] with a filling composed of 0.3 [g] of tobacco particles (in dry conditions)

Initial

Final Difference  Initial Final Difference

2.0 mm or less

60 86 26 99 136 37

0.212 mm  2.0 mm

58 71 13 79 99 twenty

0.5 mm  2.0 mm

57 65 8 72 81 9

The specifications of the filler 8 so that the relationship shown in Table 4 is met are the same as those provided above.

As can be seen in Table 4, a tobacco cartridge 20 containing a filler formed by 0.2 g of tobacco particles provides resistance to the initial and final air passage, each of which is within the range before mentioned between 40 mm ca and 80 mm a.c., in case the tobacco particles have a particle size between 0.212 mm and 2.0 mm or between 0.5 mm and 2.0 mm. However, if the tobacco particles have a particle size of 2.0 mm or less, said tobacco cartridge 20 has a passage resistance

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of final air of 86 mm a.c., which is outside the appropriate range of resistances to the passage of air mentioned above.

A tobacco cartridge 20 containing a filling made of 0.3 g of tobacco particles has resistances to the initial and final air passage that are both outside the suitable range of resistances to the aforementioned air passage, in case of that the tobacco particles have a particle size of 2.0 mm or less. If the tobacco particles have a particle size between 0.212 mm and 2.0 mm, such tobacco cartridge 20 provides a resistance to the final air passage outside the suitable range of resistance to the aforementioned air passage, but if the particles of tobacco have a particle size between 0.5 mm and 2.0 mm, said tobacco cartridge 20 provides resistance to the final air passage practically within the appropriate range of resistance to the aforementioned air passage.

In addition, if the tobacco particles have a particle size of 2.0 mm or less, the tobacco cartridge 20 has a difference between the resistance to the initial and final air passage of 20 mm a.c. or greater, which is large enough to make the user clearly notice a variation in the resistance to air passage of the tobacco cartridge 20, and therefore have a strange sensation during the use of the smokeless cigarette 1 .

The particle size of the tobacco particles that form the filling 8 is therefore desirably between 0.212 and 2.0 mm, and, more desirably, between 0.5 mm and 2.0 mm.

Table 5 below shows the mutual relationship between the outer diameter of the filling 8 (inside diameter of the tobacco cartridge 20), the length of the filling 8 and the resistance to the initial air passage of the tobacco cartridge 20.

Table 5

External diameter

Amount of 0.2 [g] tobacco particles that form the filling (in dry conditions) Amount of 0.3 [g] tobacco particles that form the filling (in dry conditions)

of the filling [mm]

Fill Length [mm] Resistance to initial air passage [mm a.c.] Fill Length [mm] Resistance to initial air passage [mm a.c.]

 5

91 96 135 120

 7

46 57 69 72

 8

36 31 53 38

 9

28 10 42 16

Except for the outer diameter, the specifications of the filler 8 for which the ratio shown in Table 5 has been observed, are the same as those given above, and the particle size of the tobacco particles constituting the filler 8 is between 0.5 mm and 2.0 mm.

As can be seen in Table 5, the length and outside diameter of the filling 8 depend on the amount of tobacco particles constituting the filling. For example, the length of the filling 5 of 5 mm outer diameter measures as much as 91 mm (0.2 g of tobacco particles constituting the filling) or 135 mm (0.3 g of tobacco particles constituting the filter) . Such filler 8 is much longer than the filler portion of normal filter cigarettes, and measures between approximately 59 mm and 68 mm. In addition, the tobacco cartridge 20 containing such a filling has a resistance to the initial air passage outside the suitable range of resistance to the aforementioned air passage. The tobacco cartridge 20 containing the filling 8 of 5 mm outer diameter causes, therefore, the user a strange sensation and, therefore, is not usable.

The tobacco cartridge 20 containing the filling 8 of 7 mm outer diameter provides a resistance to the initial air passage within the appropriate range of resistance to the aforementioned air passage, whether the filling consists of 0.2 g of particles of tobacco, either by 0.3 g of them. The tobacco cartridge 20 containing a filling 8 of 8 mm outer diameter provides a resistance to the initial air passage slightly below the suitable range of resistances to the aforementioned air passage, whether the filling consists of 0.2 g of tobacco particles, either by 0.3 g of them. In addition, the filler 8 of outer diameter of 7 mm or 8 mm has a length almost equal to the length of the filling part of the normal filter cigarettes, or less than this.

The tobacco cartridge 20 containing a filling 8 of 9 mm outer diameter has an initial air passage resistance of 10 mm a.c. (0.2 g of tobacco particles that constitute the filling) or 16 mm a.c. (0.3 g of tobacco particles constituting the filler), well outside the adequate range of resistance to the passage of air mentioned above, and therefore not suitable for use.

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Consequently, the outer diameter of the filling 8 (inner diameter of the tobacco cartridge 20) is desirably comprised between 6 mm and 8 mm, and the length of the filling 8 is desirably almost equal, or less, than the length of the filling part of normal filter cigarettes, specifically up to about 70 mm.

Table 6 below shows the mutual relationship between the degree of compression, or the extent to which the tobacco particles are compressed to form the filter 8, the length of the filter and the resistance to initial air passage of the tobacco cartridge twenty.

Table 6

Compression [%]

Fill Length [mm] Resistance to initial air passage [mm a.c.]

0

69 72

5

65 99

twenty

55 145

The specifications of the filler 8 for which the ratio shown in Table 6 was observed are the same as those provided above. Specifically, the filling 8 is composed of 0.3 g of tobacco particles in dry conditions, and measures 7 mm in outer diameter.

As shown in Table 6, 0% compression means that the filling 8 contained in the tobacco cartridge 20 has not been compressed, or has no load exerted on it, in which case the filling 8 measures 69 mm of length and the tobacco cartridge 20 provides an initial air passage resistance of 72 mm ca within the appropriate range of resistance to the passage of air mentioned above.

Compressions of 5% and 20% mean that the filling 8, without any load being exerted on it, has been compressed to a length of approximately 65 mm and 55 mm, respectively, in which cases the tobacco cartridge 20 has resistance to initial air passage 99 mm ca and 145 mm a.c., respectively, which are outside the proper range of resistances to the passage of air mentioned above.

Thus, when forming a filler 8 so that it contains tobacco particles within the tobacco cartridge 20, it is not necessary for the tobacco particles to be compressed. The filling 8 is therefore very easy to form.

From the above, it is concluded that, as long as at least one of the quantity and particle size of the tobacco particles that form the filling, is chosen in the range of values mentioned above which results in a resistance to passage air of the tobacco cartridge 20 of between 40 mm ca and 80 mm a.c., the filling 8 is capable of stably releasing tobacco flavoring substances. The smokeless cigarette 1 according to the present embodiment therefore allows the user to enjoy an aroma and an inhalation sensation similar to those provided by normal filter cigarettes.

The filling 8 is not burned, so it does not produce smoke or ashes and, therefore, does not cause such a problem that the smoke and odors worsen the surrounding environment.

The present invention is not limited to the first embodiment described above, but it can be modified in various ways without departing from the scope and spirit thereof.

For example, while the smokeless cigarette 1 according to the first embodiment has a tobacco cartridge 20 with a filler 8 contained in a container 6, a smokeless cigarette 1 according to a second embodiment has a filler 8 directly contained within of support 2, as shown in Figure 3. The smokeless cigarette 1 according to the second embodiment is a disposable, or single-use cigarette.

The support 2 may have an air intake 18, for example, in the circumference, in addition to the one at the distal end. This makes the circumferential wall of the container 6 air permeable.

Specifically, the third embodiment shown in Figure 4 has a plurality of air intakes 18a in the circumferential wall of the support 2, near the distal end thereof, in addition to the air intake 18 located at the distal end. The air intakes 18a are arranged in the direction of the circumference of the support 2, at intervals. In addition, the circumferential wall of the container 6 has a large number of aeration holes 22 distributed downstream with respect to the air intakes 18a, which make the circumferential wall of the container 6 air permeable. An annular space of a predetermined size has been left between the support 2 and the container 6 in order to provide a secondary passage connecting the air intakes 18a and the aeration holes 22. In order to prevent the tobacco particles from falling into through the aeration holes 22. A mesh net 24 has been fixed to the inner surface of the container 6.

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The air that is introduced inside the support 2 through the air intakes 18a, flows through the secondary passage, or space between the inner surface of the support 2 and the outer surface of the container 6, and enters through the aeration holes 22 existing in the container 6 and the meshes of the mesh network 24, radially with respect to the container 6, and, thus, comes into contact with the tobacco particles constituting the filling 8. Such radial air flows do not push the tobacco particles contained in the container 6 in the direction of the axis of the container 6. Therefore, the problem that the tobacco particles contained in the container 6 move towards the end of the filter side 12 of the container 6 can be avoided and agglomerate with each other, and a resistance to the desired air passage can be maintained, which allows the user to inhale substances with tobacco aroma more stably.

The smokeless cigarette 1 may have been provided with only a single air intake 18a and a single aeration hole 22.

An openable lid, for example, a sliding lid, may have been provided to close the air intakes 18a. Such a sliding cover allows the regulation of the amount of air that is introduced into the support 2. If the user notices that the aroma provided by the filling 8 is too strong, the user can operate the sliding cover to increase the amount of air that is it introduces into the support 2 through the air intakes 18a, thereby diluting the aromatized air to be inhaled.

The smokeless cigarette 1 according to a fourth embodiment shown in Figure 5, is a disposable smokeless cigarette, as is the smokeless cigarette 1 shown in Figure 3, but has a plurality of aeration holes 22 on the circumferential wall of the support 2 and a mesh net 24 fixed to the inner surface of the support 2.

The smokeless cigarette 1 according to a fifth embodiment shown in Figure 6 differs from the smokeless cigarette 1 shown in Figure 1 only in that the stopper 14 of the filling has been omitted and the cap 10 on the distal end side includes a net 24a mesh that makes it air permeable.

The smokeless cigarette 1 according to a sixth embodiment shown in Figure 7 has a nozzle 26 that provides a mouth end 4, detachably fixed in the holder 2, and filters 12 arranged at each end of the container 6.

In addition, the smokeless cigarette 1 according to the sixth embodiment has a plurality of ribs 28 on the inner surface of the container 6. The ribs 28 extend, each of them, in the direction of the axis of the container 6, between the filters 12. As seen in Figure 8, the ribs 28 are arranged in the direction of the circumference of the container 6, at intervals. These ribs 28 are useful in preventing the filters 12 from moving towards the filling 8, inside the container 6.

The smokeless cigarette 1 according to a seventh embodiment shown in Figure 9, additionally comprises a cylindrical mouth end cap 30 covering the mouth end 4. The mouth end plug 30 has an open end having an outside diameter equal to that of the support 2. The mouth end plug has a pair of projections 32a on the inner surface, near the open end. The protrusions 32a are located opposite each other, with the axis of the mouth end plug 30 interposed therebetween. The projections 32a can be coupled with the mouth end portion 4, specifically with the recesses 32b of the outer circumferential surface of the mouth end piece 30. The mouth end cap 30 is therefore detachably fixed to cover the mouthpiece 26, in order to prevent dirt from adhering to the mouthpiece 26 during storage of the smokeless cigarette 1.

Explanation of the reference symbols

1: Cigarette without smoke

2: Support

4: Mouth end (main step)

6: Container

8: Stuffed

10: Stopper

12: Filter

14: Filter stop

16: Stopper

18: Air intake (main step)

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18a: Air intake (secondary passage)

20: Tobacco cartridge

22: Vent hole (secondary passage) 24, 24a: Mesh net

5 26: Nozzle

28: Rib

30: End cap 32a: Rebate 32b: Outgoing

10

Claims (8)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 E10743785 12-22-2014 1. A suction device (1) of tobacco aroma without heating, comprising: a cylindrical and hollow suction support (2), which has an open distal end, an open proximal end and a defined suction path therein, such that the suction path includes a main passage extending from the end distal to the proximal end, so that the proximal end serves as the end (4) by mouth, and a filler (8), contained in the main passage of said suction support (2), including said filler (8) tobacco particles made of tobacco materials, without the tobacco particles being compressed, in order to provide a aroma obtained from airborne tobacco materials that is inhaled by a user through the mouth end (4), in which: the suction path and said filling (8) provide a resistance to the passage of air between 40 mm a.c. and 80 mm AC. in cooperation with each other. 2. The suction device (1) of unheated tobacco aroma according to claim 1, wherein the weight of the tobacco particles constituting said filling (8) is comprised between 0.2 g and 0.3 g in dry conditions. 3. The suction device (1) of unheated tobacco aroma according to claim 1, wherein said filling (8) includes 90% by weight or more of the tobacco particles, the tobacco particles having a particle size between 0.212 mm and 2.0 mm. 4. The suction device (1) of unheated tobacco aroma according to claim 1, wherein said filling (8) includes 90% by weight or more of the tobacco particles, the tobacco particles having a particle size between 0.5 mm and 2.0 mm. 5. The suction device (1) of unheated tobacco aroma according to claim 1, wherein said filling (8) is cylindrical in shape and has an outside diameter of between 6 mm and 8 mm, and a axial length up to about 70 mm. The suction device (1) of unheated tobacco aroma according to claim 1, wherein the tobacco particles include at least carbonate or hydrogen carbonate. 7. The suction device (1) of unheated tobacco aroma according to claim 6, wherein the carbonate is potassium carbonate. The suction device (1) of unheated tobacco aroma according to claim 1, in which the suction path further includes a secondary passage intended to allow air to be introduced into the main passage a through a circumferential wall of said suction support (2), in order to cause the air introduced to come into contact with said filling (8). eleven